Run the repeater...

[Jorge Jimenez]

Hi,
I'm new in this (ChunkVnc), so I'm reading the guides for installation, but when I run the repeater I don't see the window that describes de process...is that normal (is "run" = doble click the repeater icon on the repeater folder)..?
Thanks,
J.J.

[supercoe]

Sorry it's not clear, when you run the repeater you will have to click on the tray icon before you see the log window.

[Jorge Jimenez]

I got it.....well so far.
Thank you Supercoe,
J.J.

[Jorge Jimenez]

Supercoe..
Now that I have compiled InstantSupport how can I send it to the customer computer, I try to e-mail so he can download and run it, but hotmail doesn't let me attach it because security issues...(file extension).
thanks,
J.J.

[guinness]

Wrap in a .ZIP file usually solves the problem or host on your website (if you have one) or use http://www.drop.io to upload and then the user can download or contact Hotmail!

[B]

Or, of course, just upload it to your own web site, if you have one. That would be the simplest and most professional way, particularly if you have paying customers.

If you try the ZIP route (to get through Hotmail), chances are you'll also need to password-protect the ZIP file. This is exactly what many virus writers have resorted to doing, and of course people gladly enter the passwords anyway.

From some brief searching, apparently you can't even turn OFF HotMail's attachment blocking. How ridiculous.

[guinness]

Or, of course, just upload it to your own web site, if you have one.

I suggested that

[B]

No, no.... <b>you</b> used parentheses around "if you have one".

<b>I</b>, on the other hand, used <b>commas</b>.



In other words, wow that was stupid of me.

[Jorge Jimenez]

Hi.....
me again, can't upload the file (InstantSupport) to the website , MS live small business has security issues like the e-mail too. I'm looking to let the customer click a buttom or link in the website and a window opens to download (easy for the customer, no unzip or other procedures that customer may not know), so any other input..?
Thanks,
J.J.

[supercoe]

What types of files can I upload to my workspace?
You can upload many file types, from Microsoft Office documents to pictures and PDFs. In fact, you can save thousands of Office documents in your online workspace, based on the average file size and use of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint by student, work, and home users. For your protection, we don’t allow the uploading of files that could cause security issues such as .exe files.

At this point in time the only thing you could do is get a better host as it seems you are correct about not being able to host .exe files.

[Jorge Jimenez]

Supercoe,
Any input for a fast, secure and reliable hosting place..that can upload .exe's or good for remote support...?
Thanks,
J.J.

[supercoe]

I use www.siteground.com, I've heard www.dreamhost.com is good.
Otherwise check out the deals here:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=45

[guinness]

@B - It was bad grammar.

[B]

Not at all! There was nothing wrong with what you wrote; I just missed it.

[Jorge Jimenez]

Supercoe...
In order to get a download window (like in your website when somebody wants remote support) , is it a hosting procedure, does siteground supports uploading and downloading executable files and is it part of the hosting plan..?
Thanks,
J.J.

[supercoe]

Most hosting providers will allow you to upload any type of file you want as long as it's not illegal content (which would only be removed if reported).

It's an sad limitation of your current plan that they don't allow you to upload executables and to tell you the truth the first time I've seen a host do that.

[B]

Supercoe...
In order to get a download window (like in your website when somebody wants remote support) , is it a hosting procedure, does siteground supports uploading and downloading executable files and is it part of the hosting plan..?
Thanks,
J.J.

It's a <b>web host</b>. There are thousands of them. They all generally let you host whatever the heck files you want. Download window? Hosting procedure? Somehow I hope you're just kidding. The answers are yes, yes, and yes. You upload a file. The customer downloads a file.

If you don't want to pay, there are lots of sites like Sendspace you can use. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-click_ ... ck_hosting

[supercoe]

Or better yet, run an http server yourself.
You'll have to be running a repeater somewhere, why not host the file from that computer?

[Jorge Jimenez]

Thank you supercoe,
I'll consider changing hosting, another question is if I can make changes online to the website in order to accommodate my needs as part of the hosting utilities..?

J.J.

[supercoe]

Jorge,

I'm not sure what you're asking, but it sounds like websites and how they work are new to you.
I suggest you direct further questions to Google or a prospective host as I don't have time to teach someone how the internet works, sorry.

Good luck!

[B]

You could try simple things like

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=we ... =&gs_rfai=

(First hit features a "Steagle Cobeagle" video tutorial on webhosting and Internet basics.)

or

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sour ... =&gs_rfai=

Best of luck.

Or better yet, run an http server yourself.
You'll have to be running a repeater somewhere, why not host the file from that computer?

You know, supercoe, while we seem to have hit an unfortunately deep well of need with Jorge here, this does raise a tempting idea. What if the repeater, on either its regular listening ports or perhaps an additional port, were configured to serve up the InstantSupport.exe on demand over http or even https?

I know at some point we're putting lipstick on the thing with various and sundry enhancements, but automatically distributing the end-user package could make life even more convenient for ChunkVNC users.

"Hey customer, just browse to myvncrepeater.example.com to download our support tool."

Not that this isn't trivial to do for knowledgeable techies outside of the Chunk package, but a tiny web server for this purpose should be fairly easy to integrate into or around the repeater. After all, WinVNC already has one. Thoughts?

[supercoe]

B,

I've been kicking the idea around but at the same time I have to draw the line somewhere. I guess if enough people think it would benefit the project it would be easy to add, but then again it's not hard to run a simple http server either...

Potential problems:
1) Running a server is a violation on many ISP contracts and they block port 80 because of this.

2) Limited upload bandwidth. I run my repeater locally so any current sessions would be effected by someone else downloading the file from me.

Honestly, if someone is paying you for remote support the least you could have is a web host.
I've been looking at purchasing a VPS lately and (in the US) I could find them for $6-10 a month. I consider that a nominal fee to run both a website and a repeater.

[B]

Mostly agreed. There are always workarounds, though....

1. Even the repeater (and/or WinVNC and/or VNCViewer in listening mode) is already a "server" so home users might already be on shaky ground, and one could always run on a different port. To keep things relatively simple, you might have the integrated web server use the same listening port, and tell users to do http://myvncrepeater.example.com:5500. (Some registrars/DNS hosts will let you bounce to that in the background of a more friendly URL.) I normally change default ports anyway.

2. I don't know that the bandwidth objection makes much sense -- how many people are ever going to be hitting that URL to download the package?

Anyhow, personally I still see this as a "support the friends and family" solution, so making it easier on people who don't have dedicated servers (allowing us techies to run it at home) makes sense. I'm hoping to expand it to actual work relationships as it matures and secures.

Just making conversation though. While it would be very cool for the repeater (which is already running and open to the world) to hand users the InstantSupport and eliminate the need for another transmission channel, it's not essential.